Koh Phangan Activities - Trekking

Most parts of Koh Phangan are still untouched, which makes it perfect for trekking. There is also a national park rainforest interior to the island with amazing waterfalls (in season) and tropical rainforest. Koh Phangan has many waterfalls to visit, such as Paradise Waterfall with great trekking through the national park and the beautiful area surrounding Phaeng Waterfall located centrally in the protected rainforest with all its fauna & flora.

There is also a further national park in the Thansadet waterfall area which has the idyllic beach cove of Than Sadet bay. At all national park areas there are many trails to investigate and some fantastic viewpoints to discover. There is a varied amount of asian wildlife here, including Kingfishers, Woodpeckers, Sunbirds, Butterflies, Geckos, large monitor lizards and there are even wild monkeys in the jungle that you may come across on one of your treks!

If you are looking to see the waterfalls flowing then the best time to visit the falls are just after the wet seasons of May/June & Nov/Dec, when water flows at it's best and the swim holes are full and flowing! There are also many trekking routes along the East Coast that take you to quiet beaches and some nice treks around the tallest mountain on the island, Khao Ra.

For travellers staying in Haadrin, there is a well documented trail on the island called the ’Green Dot trail’. It starts in Haad-rin at Laluna Bungalow and is a 4Km trek through jungle terrain which brings you out at Haad Yuan.  It takes around 90 minutes and there’s a lot of wildlife to see.  Its called green dot trail as there are green dots painted along the route that will bring you to the ridge top to get the most amazing views of Haad Yuan and  Haad Thien.  Be aware some of the dots may now be worn off so be careful and once you get to the open part of the trail follow the blue water pipes upto the dirt road and continue following the green dots!

There have been a number of travellers on Koh Phangan lost on trails due to bad signage and overgrowth of plants on trails so you must be careful as it is expensive to get out the emergency helicopter from Koh Samui and you will have to pay for it!! If you lose the signage then turn back - do not keep walking as you could end up in the dense jungle lost!

Important things to note are:

• Take AT LEAST two litres of water on the treks
• Always take a mobile phone and make sure the battery is well charged.  If you get lost go to the highest point to recieve a signal. 
• Go with a guide if possible (there are guides at Khao Ra)
• Follow the signs - if there are not any TURN BACK immediately
• Always take a bearing and if possible carry a compass
• Start your trek very early in the morning when it is not so hot with a plan to return around lunchtime before the sun is at its hottest and the mosquitos start to bite!
• Wear a hat, sunglasses, socks, long pants, shirt with long sleeves and appropriate footwear - do not wear sandels.
• Take suntan lotion and a small towel to clean off your sweat
• Take mosquito repellant
• Do not go on any treks in wet or monsoon seasons (May-June/Oct-Dec)
• Take some money in case you need to get a longtail boat or taxi back!
• Beware of dangers as we do have King Cobra snakes and Scorpians on Koh Phangan!